Synopsis "From Despair to Beloved: The Provocative Cinema of On Mark Productions"
In October 2001, a desperate screenwriter took the advice of actor/producer/director Bruce Campbell and shot his first independent movie, a short entitled Despair. With only a VHS-C camcorder, one location, natural lighting, two people (himself and his wife) and a rabbit at his disposal, he completed the film in two days. Two months later, it was picked up for worldwide distribution. The screenwriter's name was Mark Baranowski. He and his wife, model-actress Ryli Morgan, would then come to be known as On Mark Productions, going on to make several more micro-budget shorts and feature films over the next ten years. Working with the likes of Brinke Stevens, Lynn Lowry, Suzi Lorraine and Teri Weigel, the couple became increasingly well known and respected within the realm of cult cinema. They've been featured guests at numerous horror film conventions along the eastern United States, while assisting in the productions of others, both on and off camera. From Despair to Beloved: The Provocative Cinema of On Mark Productions is the official guide to their entire film catalog thus far, spanning from 2001-2011. Each title is thoroughly analyzed and reviewed, beginning with Despair (2001) and continuing on to Ryli Morgan: Audition (2002), Runaway Terror (2002), The Zombie Room (2003), Expendable (2003), Sin By Murder (2004), The Powerful Play (2004), Heaven Help Me, I'm In Love (2005), Ill Times (2009), Mister Dissolute (2009) and Hardly Beloved (2011). An exclusive interview with Mark and Ryli, behind-the-scenes stories and photographs, an entire shooting script, poster and video box art, ad mats, production stills, and cast recollections make this book an exhaustive and invaluable resource for not only fans of these films, but for anyone interested in true DIY movie-making.
